encouragement for non-runners

I just wanted to encourage those who are overwhelmed by the thought of improving their running time.

My son has NEVER been a runner, HATED running,...

Last summer at boy scout camp, he worked on the physical fitness merit badge so he had to run a mile and his time was HORRIBLE...almost 17 minutes!

He came home determined to improve. He started a workout schedule.
Yesterday, he ran a mile in 7:05.

Today, he ran 2 miles in 14:35.

He now sees how possible it is to improve, and he is motivated to get that time down!

Don't despair! Just get out there and DO IT!

My son has always been an athlete, but not a runner. He religiously followed the USNA workout schedule that he was sent previously and recently adjusted to the schedule that came in the permit to report packet. His times are coming down.

The situps, pushups and chinups have never been a problem, as he enjoys weight training and working out.

WestTexasmom (like Nike) is right - Just do it!

Definitely, last year I ran a 6:57 mile and puked and nearly passed out. Now I run for my schools track and xc teams and have a 5:10 mile. Tell your son to keep working hard his times will continue to improve greatly .

It is difficult when there is a chronic knee problem and they still have to run the PRT and are not allowed to swim it like they are in the fleet.

jtoye said:

Definitely, last year I ran a 6:57 mile and puked and nearly passed out. Now I run for my schools track and xc teams and have a 5:10 mile. Tell your son to keep working hard his times will continue to improve greatly

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Thanks jtoye! I will tell him of your success. I hope he can get his time down near yours. He's had a few of those puking and nearly passing out moments, but he lived! (Sometimes 16 yr olds don't think they will!)

FergisMom said:

It is difficult when there is a chronic knee problem and they still have to run the PRT and are not allowed to swim it like they are in the fleet.

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It's rare for candidates with a known "chronic knee problem" to be admitted to USNA and rare for someone who develops a significant medical issue while there to be commissioned. Also, in the fleet, your ability to swim is determined by the availability of a pool and your command's willingness to make the effort to allow you to swim.

At USNA or in the fleet, if you have a medical issue that makes you unable to complete the PFT, you can get a "down chit" from medical. If you're "permanently" down, you may or may not be able to continue to serve -- that's up to the medics.

As the mom of someone in the fleet, I can tell you they cannot always swim their PRT. My son likes swimming WAY more than running, and after a sky-diving injury, running was a real struggle. At his training command there was not an option to swim, so he had to 'suck it up' and do his best. He always passed, though he didn't like his times. He's relieved that he is now at a base where they can swim but knows that will not always be the case.